Exploring Photography as a Contemplative Practice from a Taoist Perspective

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

My Daily Practice of Zuihitsu...

Zuihitsu(随筆) is a genre of Japanese literature consisting of loosely connected personal essays and fragmented ideas that typically respond to the author's surroundings. It is roughly translated into "follow the brush". I think it is a very apt description of my practice of gathering "breadcrumbs" in the landscape; something I very often do wherever I find myself. In my case, zuihitsu is more like "follow the lens".

Now that I think about the analogy, this entire blog is an example of zuihitsu! My daily posts meander shamelessly from topic to topic and that is how I like it. It is really how my mind works in most things so, why not this blog!

I prefer to think of it as a kind of stream of consciousness thing. One idea leads to another and you end up finding yourself in the most interesting and unlikely places. Like the photographic breadcrumbs that lead me through a landscape.

This blog post was connected to a passage I read in a book, a breadcrumb I picked up at the pond, some signs I saw on Star Island, and a digital collage I made of them...talk about random! But, like this photograph of the branch, there is a connection.

All the topics I pursue are connected by the thread of my contemplative practice...my seeking metaphors in the landscape and the joy of finding commonplace enchantments wherever I am. So, I must ask you...

...for that is where you will find your inspiration, Here & There and everywhere! No need to travel to faraway places with strange sounding names, as the song goes. Your contemplative landscape is as near as your back door in fact, you don't have to leave your house at all!

Follow your internal GPS and make the ancient Japanese art of zuihitsu a part of your contemplative practice. Who knows where it will lead you?

‘I
daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was
your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve
believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

―
Lewis Carroll

Now, how in the world did I get from zuihitsu to contemplative photography to Wonderland? Curiouser and Curiouser....

When I was studying Chinese brush painting years ago I remember my instructor talking about the idea of "following one's brush"...letting it guide you in your work. I don't remember what the Chinese term for it is but I was pleased to find the Japanese term, which, I think is essentially the same concept.

Welcome to A Photographic Sage!

This blog explores the juncture of contemplative camera work and the search for a way of photographing the world around us through the characteristics of the Taoist sage. For the Contemplative Photographer, the camera is viewed as an extension of a persons heart and mind and the resulting photographs as a visual, and highly personal diary of experience and expression. Where traditional photography focuses on subject and technique, Contemplative Photography makes the connection between meaning and personal experience the over-riding emphasis. This blog will delve into the metaphoric capabilities of the photographic medium. I welcome readers to join in the discussion on Contemplative Photography by posting your comments . Thank you for visiting and enjoy the journey! - Patricia TurnerVisit my Pinterest boards for more inspiration or you can pin these latest ones directly to your boards. - Visit Patricia's profile on Pinterest.

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Field Guide for the Contemplative Photographer

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Focusing on Life Blog

My Interview on 365 Days of Inspiration...

Follow the link below to read the interview by Kim Manley Ort on her wonderful blog, 365 Days of Inspiration. Be sure to download your free e-book version of The Field Guide for the Contemplative Photographer above!

The Fertile Rock - The Burren Series

Patricia Turner

I live in an old farmhouse in the mountains of Western Maine with my philosopher in residence, Emerson. (A sweet cat that tolerates my long hours of reading and writing.) When I'm not in Maine I'm traveling the world. Follow my travels on:

A Summer Sojourn to the Hebrides

Click on the picture and see a YouTube video of my color photographs of the Western Isles. The photograph above appeared in the Spring edition of Scottish Life Magazine. A feature article of my black and white images of the Western Isles appeared in the Summer edition. The Fall edition features 7 of my color photographs of South Uist and my photograph is also on the cover! Pick up your copy today, it is a wonderful publication. You can also get back issues on their website...the link is above.